Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — Air Post, Including Inverted Jenny Positions 19 and 20
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue "TOP" Only, Fast Plane Variety (C3 var). Mint N.H. complete sheet of 100 with top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and blue "TOP" only, additionally each stamp with significant forward shift of the vignette, the top wing of each plane extending well into the Carmine frame, natural gum skips (some large) at top in the plate block, bit heavy natural gum crease at top right outside the plate block
VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED COMPLETE SHEET OF 100 OF THE 24-CENT 1918 AIR POST ISSUE WITH BLUE "TOP" ONLY AND THE FAST PLANE VARIETIES. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF AIR POST PHILATELY.
The first sheets of the 24c Air Post issue prepared for sale on May 14, 1918, were trimmed at top and right so that they would fit in post office drawers. In the process the plate numbers at top, the right selvage and the guide arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. Immediately after the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing officials decided to add the word "TOP" to the plates and modify the perforating/trimming process, so that when new sheets were printed, the word "TOP" would appear in the selvage. This would help prevent more errors from slipping past BEP employees in the printing and examination process.
A small number of sheets printed with the Carmine frame from the plate lacking the word "TOP" were finished with Blue vignettes printed from the plate with "TOP" added. This resulted in the so-called "Blue Top Only" plate blocks. They are extremely rare—especially so in a complete sheet as offered here. The vast majority of plate blocks have the two "TOP" imprints in Carmine and Blue. Only 24 Blue Top Only plate blocks are recorded in Joe Kirker's ongoing census.
The Philatelic Foundation has never published an article defining the criteria for certifying the Fast Plane variety, as they did for the Grounded Plane. The generally accepted definition is a stamp where the wings of the Jenny break clearly into the Carmine frame at left. Like the other shifts, there are degrees of displacement. This sheet is not only a rare Blue Top Only, it is the Fast Plane variety.
Scott value as Mint N.H. Blue Top Only plate block of twelve plus singles.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post, Blue "TOP" Only (C3 var). Top arrow, double plate nos. 8493/8492 and blue "TOP" only block of 20, representing the full top two rows of the sheet, original gum, small bit of hinging between two stamps at bottom middle, well-centered with rich colors, gum skip in blue "TOP" selvage extends just into stamp below, natural gum crease on two left stamps outside the plate block, small selvage stain at bottom left again outside the plate block
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF 20 OF THE 24-CENT 1918 AIR POST ISSUE WITH BLUE "TOP" ONLY.
The first sheets of the 24c Air Post issue prepared for sale on May 14, 1918, were trimmed at top and right so that they would fit in post office drawers. In the process the plate numbers at top, the right selvage and the guide arrow were removed, resulting in a straight edge at top and right. Immediately after the invert error was discovered on one of the first printed sheets, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing officials decided to add the word "TOP" to the plates and modify the perforating/trimming process, so that when new sheets were printed, the word "TOP" would appear in the selvage. This would help prevent more errors from slipping past BEP employees in the printing and examination process.
A small number of sheets printed with the Carmine frame from the plate lacking the word "TOP" were finished with Blue vignettes printed from the plate with "TOP" added. This resulted in the so-called "Blue Top Only" plate blocks. They are extremely rare. The vast majority of plate blocks have the two "TOP" imprints in Carmine and Blue. Only 24 Blue Top Only plate blocks are recorded in Joe Kirker's ongoing census.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, 1918 Air Post (C3). Complete sheet of 100 with double plate nos. 8493/8492 and double "TOP" selvage, selvage at left with arrow, natural straight edges at right and bottom, more than 75 stamps Mint N.H., all of the hinged stamps are found around the outer edges with h.r. (including the plate block), deep rich colors, some perf separations and Position 92 has a small repaired fault
OVERALL VERY FINE COMPLETE SHEET OF 100 OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES AIR POST STAMP, THE 24-CENT CARMINE ROSE AND BLUE DEPICTING THE CURTIS JENNY AIRPLANE.
After the sheet of the Inverted Jenny was discovered in 1918, the blue "TOP" was added to the margin of the vignette plate to facilitate inspection of sheets (see previous two lots). Shortly afterwards the red "TOP" was added to the frame plate, in a different font.
Scott value as hinged plate block of 12 plus Mint N.H. and hinged singles.
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (C3a). Position 19, original gum, lightly hinged, deep rich colors with inverted plane perfectly placed in relation to the frame, choice centering, certificate notes "tiny thins" which are extremely minute specks that might not even be in the paper and are almost unworthy of mention
VERY FINE APPEARING AND WONDERFULLY FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS 24-CENT INVERTED JENNY. THIS STAMP WAS ORIGINALLY CONTIGUOUS WITH THE POSITION 20 STAMP OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING LOT.
The original sheet of one hundred Inverted Jenny errors was purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, the first day the stamps went on sale in all three principal airmail route cities: Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. Robey bought the sheet for its $24 face value at the New York Avenue Post Office window in the District of Columbia. On Sunday, May 19, Robey agreed to give Eugene Klein, a prominent Philadelphia stamp dealer, a one-day option to buy the sheet for $15,000. Klein exercised his option on Monday, May 20, in a late afternoon phone call, and he confirmed it with a registered letter to Robey sent in the evening mail. The sheet was delivered to Klein's office by Robey and his father-in-law on the following day, Tuesday, May 21, 1918.
No later than Monday, May 20, the day Klein exercised his option, he had arranged to sell the sheet for $20,000 to Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Half of the $5,000 profit went to Klein's partners, Percy McGraw Mann and Joseph A. Steinmetz. Klein was then authorized by Colonel Green to divide the sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks.
Despite the great rarity and value of Inverted Jenny stamps, many of the original hundred have been mistreated by collectors over the years. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Eight straight-edge copies that Klein was unable to sell and returned to Colonel Green were found in Green's estate stuck together in an envelope (they were soaked and lost their gum). Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and one was physically Scotch-taped to an exhibit page. Another was nearly lost to philately forever when it was swept up in a vacuum cleaner.
Position 19's history can be traced back to Sir William Lindsay Everard, a British pioneer aviator, member of Parliament and airpost collector. Sir Lindsay exhibited the stamp in 1946 and 1947. He passed away in 1949 and his collection was sold at auction in 1953. Position 19 was not included in that sale, since it had been sold privately around 1951. It was exhibited in 1952 by Dimitri Tziracopoulo, a major collector of Italian Old Master paintings and philatelist who assembled a formidable collection of worldwide airpost material. Tziracopoulo exhibited the stamp in the August 1961 FISA exhibition in the Netherlands, where he won the Grand Prix award (Air Post Journal Nov. 1961).
The Tziracopulo collection was sold by Harmer, Rooke of London on October 1, 1965. The Inverted Jenny was described as sound. Our next sale record is a private treaty purchase in 1984. It then appeared at auction in Siegel Sale 833 in 2000, where it was purchased by Daniel B. Curtis, who held the stamp until he passed away in 2014. It was included in Siegel's sale of the Curtis collection in 2015.
With 1983 P.F. certificate issued to Richard A. Champagne. Signed in pencil four times, including the renowned Italian experts Dr. Giulio Bolaffi, Alberto Diena and Dr. Enzo Diena. Two backstamps: red "D.FORESTER", who backstamped a number of early worldwide airpost stamps, but we have been unable to locate any information about him; and a black "H/SC/NY" handstamp, which is also found on the back of each stamp in the "Princeton Block" (Positions 61-62/71-72)—this handstamp was previously misidentified as the similar mark used by Economist Stamp Co., but it is definitely a different stamp dealer's mark (we have not been able to determine which New York based company begins with the letter H).
Ex Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green, Sir William Lindsay Everard, Dimitri Tziracopoulo and Daniel B. Curtis. With 1983 P.F. certificate.
See InvertedJenny.com Position 19
24c Carmine Rose & Blue, Center Inverted (C3a). Position 20, unused (no gum), natural straight edge at right, light horizontal crease at top
VERY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS 24-CENT INVERTED JENNY. THIS STAMP WAS ORIGINALLY CONTIGUOUS WITH THE POSITION 19 STAMP OFFERED IN THE PREVIOUS LOT.
The original sheet of one hundred Inverted Jenny errors was purchased by William T. Robey on May 14, 1918, the first day the stamps went on sale in all three principal airmail route cities: Washington, D.C., New York and Philadelphia. Robey bought the sheet for its $24 face value at the New York Avenue Post Office window in the District of Columbia. On Sunday, May 19, Robey agreed to give Eugene Klein, a prominent Philadelphia stamp dealer, a one-day option to buy the sheet for $15,000. Klein exercised his option on Monday, May 20, in a late afternoon phone call, and he confirmed it with a registered letter to Robey sent in the evening mail. The sheet was delivered to Klein's office by Robey and his father-in-law on the following day, Tuesday, May 21, 1918.
No later than Monday, May 20, the day Klein exercised his option, he had arranged to sell the sheet for $20,000 to Colonel Edward H. R. Green. Half of the $5,000 profit went to Klein's partners, Percy McGraw Mann and Joseph A. Steinmetz. Klein was then authorized by Colonel Green to divide the sheet into singles and blocks, and to sell all but a few key position blocks.
Despite the great rarity and value of Inverted Jenny stamps, many of the original hundred have been mistreated by collectors over the years. Colonel Green himself allowed moisture to affect some of the stamps he retained. Eight straight-edge copies that Klein was unable to sell and returned to Colonel Green were found in Green's estate stuck together in an envelope (they were soaked and lost their gum, including the example offered here). Other examples have become slightly toned from improper storage and climatic conditions. Hinge removal has caused thins and creases in numerous stamps, and one was physically Scotch-taped to an exhibit page. Another was nearly lost to philately forever when it was swept up in a vacuum cleaner.
Position 20 was first offered at auction as part of a pair with Position 10 above. Some time after the 1943 Green sale, but before the 1954 Gerber sale, the pair was divided, probably by the buyer in the Green sale, a dealer from New York named Paul Wise.
Ex Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green. With 1992 P.F. certificate.
See InvertedJenny.com Position 20
16c Dark Blue, 1923 Air Post (C5). Mint N.H. top left complete pane of 100, with plate no. 14830 at top and left, natural straight edges at right and bottom, Fine-Very Fine centering, some typical natural gum bends, perf separations in selvage including next to top and left plate numbers, blue post office crayon marking in selvage at top right
A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED FULL PANE OF 100 OF THE 16-CENT 1923 AIR POST ISSUE.
This is the first full pane we have offered since our 2001 Rarities sale. That pane had two hinged stamps. Scott value as plate blocks and singles.
24c Carmine, 1923 Air Post (C6). Top right complete pane of 100, with plate no. F 14840 at top and 14840 at right, natural straight edges at left and bottom, original gum, left column, bottom row, as well as ungummed and gummed selvage with hinge slivers for perf separation prevention, the top plate block is Mint N.H. on all gummed portions, choice centering for such a large piece with mostly Very Fine stamps, blue post office crayon marking in top plate number selvage
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FULL PANE OF 100 OF THE 24-CENT 1923 AIR POST ISSUE.
This is the first full pane we have offered since our 2001 Rarities sale. Scott value as two plate blocks (one Mint N.H. and one hinged) plus singles.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. blocks of six, including 65c plate no. 20080, $1.30 plate no. 20086 and $2.60 plate no. 20095, rich colors and attractive centering, some typical natural gum bends/creases and a small skip on $1.30, $2.60 with tiny adherence on the gum of stamp at top left and inclusion speck in gum of stamp at top right
VERY FINE MATCHED SET OF MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP PLATE BLOCKS OF THE 1930 GRAF-ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Top plate blocks are the most desirable of the Graf Zeppelin positions.
65c Green, Graf Zeppelin (C13). Mint N.H. top plate no. F 20079 block of six, deep rich color and proof-like impression, pristine condition without the usual staple holes in selvage, usual light natural gum bends
EXTREMELY FINE. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 65-CENT GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Top position plate blocks are rare in such superb condition.
$1.30 Brown, Graf Zeppelin (C14). Mint N.H. top plate no. F 20087 block of six, deep rich color and proof-like impression, better centering than normally encountered, lacking any staple holes in selvage, few natural gum skips on top stamps
EXTREMELY FINE. A GORGEOUS MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP POSITION PLATE BLOCK OF THE $1.30 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
Scarce with such choice centering and from the desirable top position.
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. top plate no. F 20095 block of six, deep rich color, unusually choice centering, trivial natural inclusions on center stamps not noted on certificate
EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE FROM THE DESIRABLE TOP POSITION.
With 2021 P.S.E. certificate.
$2.60 Blue, Graf Zeppelin (C15). Mint N.H. with left selvage, rich color and proof-like impression, gorgeous centering
EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A STUNNING MINT NEVER-HINGED EXAMPLE OF THE $2.60 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE, GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E.
With 1985 P.F., 2013 P.S.A.G. and 2013 P.S.E. certificates (latter two Superb 98). Only two grade higher.
65c-$2.60 Graf Zeppelin (C13-C15). Rich colors, tied by two strikes of "Washington D.C. Apr. 19 5PM 1930" First Day of Issue duplex datestamp and oval grid cancel on cacheted flown cover to Midland, Texas, backstamps of Friedrichschafen, New York (slightly smudged) and Midland
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE FLOWN FIRST DAY COVER WITH A COMPLETE SET OF THE 1930 GRAF ZEPPELIN ISSUE.
First Day covers with the complete set of the 1930 Graf Zeppelin issue on one cover are much rarer than sets of individually stamped covers. They are especially coveted when on a small-size cover that was actually flown such as the one offered here. Only a small number of such first day covers exist.
With 1977 P.F. certificate
50c Carmine, Trans-Pacific, Air Post (C22). Mint N.H. wide top plate no. 21625 block of six, vivid color, choice centering, minor natural gum bends
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED WIDE TOP PLATE BLOCK OF THE 50-CENT CLIPPER ISSUE.
Advanced collectors of U.S. plate blocks understand that this issue is far rarer as a wide top Mint N.H. plate block than even the $2.60 Graf Zeppelin. There are perhaps a dozen or so Mint N.H. examples extant.
2018 P.F. certificate no longer accompanies. The Scott Catalogue notes "wide full selvage top margin plate blocks of No. C22 are extremely scarce and sell for $3,000.00 or more" (versus $85.00 price for regular plate block)
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon, Tête-Bêche Pair (CL1a). Schoendorf Types I (light shade) and II (dark shade), original gum, lightly hinged, large even margins all around, completely sound
EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN TÊTE-BÊCHE PAIRS OF THE BUFFALO BALLOON STAMP.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John B. Lillard and engraved by John H. Snively, was printed by Wheeler Brothers Printers in Nashville, Tennessee. Only 300 were printed in tête-bêche arrangement from a single die. The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin, Tennessee, which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, Lillard wrote that only 23 were used.
Based on previous examples we have handled, at least some of the Buffalo Balloon stamps were exposed to moisture around the time they were printed. This accounts for the fact that only two of the tête-bêche pairs certified by The Philatelic Foundation are sound or potentially sound, including this example. The others are mostly thinned or scuffed in one corner where they were stuck together. This is the only sound example we have encountered since we last sold this pair in our 2004 sale of the Rudy collection.
Ex Louise Hoffman and Jeanette Rudy. Backstamped by Kessler, Charlat and Spencer Anderson. With 2004 P.F. certificate
5c Deep Blue, Buffalo Balloon (CL1). Original gum, Type II, large margins all around, some natural inclusions on back, faint overall toning, tiny thin speck above balloon
EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING ORIGINAL-GUM EXAMPLE OF THE RARE BUFFALO BALLOON AIR POST ISSUE.
The Buffalo Balloon stamp, designed by John F. B. Lillard and engraved by John H. Snively, was printed by Wheeler Brothers Printers in Nashville, Tennessee. Only 300 were printed in tête-bêche arrangement from a single die. The stamps were intended for use on a balloon flight from Nashville to Gallatin, Tennessee, which took place on June 18, 1877. Of the 300 that were printed, only 23 were used. Based on previous examples we have handled, at least some of the Buffalo Balloon stamps were exposed to moisture around the time they were printed.
With 2010 P.S.A.G. certificate as sound (XF 90).
1926, September 15-21—Attempt by Captain Rene Fonck and Crew of Three to Cross Atlantic Ocean from New York to Paris Non-Stop (AAMC 1042a). Legal-size U.S. Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau imprint cover addressed to Paris and endorsed by sender "New York Paris flight", U.S. 1922 3c and 12c along with 1923 16c Air Post tied by "Westbury N.Y. Sep. 15 5 PM 1926" duplex, uncancelled French stamps at left intended for return mailing, charred and stained at edges
VERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT CRASH COVER, PREPARED AND CARRIED ABOARD THE ILL-FATED ATTEMPT BY RENE FONCK AND HIS CREW TO FLY NON-STOP FROM NEW YORK TO PARIS.
Beginning on September 15, 1926, World War I French flying ace Rene Fonck and his crew of three attempted to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight in a Sikorsky S-35. After several trials, take-off finally occurred on September 21, 1926. Under the weight of the crew and embellishments to the plane's interior, the landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to cartwheel, crash and dramatically burn. Miraculously, Captain Fonck and one of the crew survived; the other two, Charles Clavier and Jacob Islamoff, died in the crash. A few letters intended to make the flight were later salvaged. A total of 17 are listed in the American Air Mail Catalogue, of which only this one has French stamps added for return mailing (AAMC 1042a).
The YouTube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyC6j2zhi3E depicts the attempted take-off, crash and resulting inferno.